Sam Freeman traded to Milwaukee Brewers

The Texas Rangers have traded lefthanded pitcher Sam Freeman to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations.

Freeman, 28, was designated for assignment by the Rangers last week.  He had been acquired by the Rangers during spring training 2015 from the Cardinals for cash considerations, was designated for assignment, cleared waivers, was outrighted, then came back to the majors and did a fairly solid job for Texas in 2015.

However, with Jake Diekman and Andrew Faulkner claiming the primary lefty reliever roles in the 2016 pen, and with Freeman being out of options, Freeman was squeezed out of a roster spot in Texas.  Milwaukee, meanwhile, has a lefty bullpen option they can use in a rebuilding year, no doubt with an eye towards having him rebuild some value, and possibly flipping him to a team in need of lefty relief help at the trade deadline.

The Rangers can use the cash from this deal to buy new baseballs to replace the ones the Mariners hit out of the park in the 8th inning tonight.